Automatic film-tensioning mechanism having individual spools



F. E. GA RBUTT May 17, 1927. 1,629,030

AUTOMATIC FILM TENSIONING MECHANISM HAVING INDIVIDUAL SPOOLS FiledMarch 3, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I AUTOMATIC FILM TENSIONING IE CHAINS HAVING INDIVIDUAL SPOOLS F; s. eA'RBuT-r Filed March 2. 1925 4 Sheets-$heot 2 May 1927' FM 5. GARBUTT AUTOMATIC FILM TENSIIONING mmcrmmsm HAVING INDIHVIDUAL SPOd'LS Filed March 2, 1926 4 Sheets-Shoe; 25

Q \Q \Q\ Q Q Rm mm v v 3 vw n3 A A hm 5 .2 in 5 1 T \m v R \w m 1: a 4 Qw Qw Q a o 5w L w \w III Patented May 17,1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK E.GABBUTT, 0] LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC FILM-TENSIONING MECHANISM HAVING INDIVIDUAL SPOOLS.

Application fled. larch 2, '1928. Serial No. 91,698.

This invention relates to the art of developing photographic film, and it relates particularly to an automatic developing machine especially suitable for developing motion picture film.

In this art both positive and negative films are subjected to a series of consecutive treatments after their exposure, which prepares them for the cutting room. Film generally passes through the following steps. The film is first developed by immersion in a developing solution; it is then passed through fixation solutions by which the images are fixed thereupon. The film is then washed to remove all adhering solutions. The film is then dyed and toned for emphasizing the images and finally the film is dried, it being then'ready for the cutting room. Motion picture film is carried through these series of treatments either manually or by automatic machines.

My invention particularly relates to automatic machines for conveying film through these treatments. There are at the present time automatic machines for developing film which comprise the various solution tanks and drying compartments. In these tanks and drying compartments are series of rollers over which the film is wound. The film is fed into one end of the machine, passing over the rollers through the various solutions and through the drying compartments. The film passes from the machine in a condition ready to o to the cutting room. The film may be eveloped by machine very quickly and comparatively cheap. The extensive use of these automatic machines, however, has been restrained due to difliculty being encountered as. a result of stretch and shrink of the film from a normal condition. It'has been found thatthe film when pas'ing through various solutions and drying compartments will stretch or shrink froni normal condition sometimes as much as yf ths' of an inch in feet. A shrinkage of the film-increases the tension thereof and places considerable strain thereon. This strain, it great enough,'will cause.

the film to break. thus causing conside able delay. This is also sometimes very expensive due to the fact that very importantscenes are sometimes ruined which, if ruined on the negative, must be photographed again. Also when the film stretches there is a liability of this film running oil the rollers and tangling, which obviously necessitates the shutting down of the machine,

causing considerable delay and sometimes causing a great deal of expense.

It is an object of my invention to provide an automatic film developing machine having a means for automatically maintaining the film'at a normal tension.

It is another object of my invention to provide in an automatic film developing machine of this character an automatic tension regulating means which controls the rate of travel to either side of the place where an abnormal tension in the film exists, thereby rectifying this abnormal tension. I provide my invention in the form of a plurality of series of rollers comprising upper and lower rollers. The film 1S consecutively wound over these successive series of rollers. On oneroller of each series of rollers I provide an arrangement whereby the rotation of speed of this roller may be varied with respect to the rotation of speed of other rollers. This means is adapted to be operated by the film when an abnormal tension exists, in such a manner as to read uSt this tension to normal. 7

It is another object of my invention to provide an automatic film developing machine' having automatic tensioning means which is operable by lower rollers of said series of rollers. This object is accomplished by providing lower rollers which are floating and which are arranged to be supported by the film. These rollers are each connected with an arrangement which is' opflerable to retard the rotation of speedof the upper rollers of the plurality of series of rollers. When the tension in the film increases vabove normal the floating or lower rollers are raised, and when the tension decreases-below normal the floating rollers are lowered. 1 The raising or lowering of the floating rollers from a normal position actu- -ates the mechanism associated with the upper rollers in such a manner as to rectify this abnormal tension and to return the floating rollersto anormal position.

-In *my arrangement, the raising of one of the floating rollers actuates the tensioning -m'echanism associated with this series of rollers in such 'a manner as to retard the exhausting of the film from this series of rollof the film at this place, thus allowing they floating roller to return to normal position.

When the floating roller of the series of lower rollers is below normal position, the tensioning mechanism of the preceding series of rollers is actuated in such a manner as to reduce the rate of feed of the film into this series in which the floating roller has lowered, and in which the tension of the film has reduced below normal. The film exhausts from this series at the same rate of speed but is fed thereto at a slower .rate of speed. In this manner the tension in the film is increased to normal and the floating roller'is returned to normal. i

It is another object of my invention to provide a film developing machine of this character having a plurality of series of ad 'ustable rollers, which adjustable rollers ave spools which are individually adjustable relative to the rollers. wound over each of the rollers a number of times, that is, it is wound on each of the separate spools so that each series of rollers contains a number of loops of film. By providing each series oflrollers in the form of separate cooperatin independent spoolsit 15 possible to retain t e tension in each sepa'-- rate loop of each series of rollers at the same tension. It has been found from ex-- perience that when the rollers are made integral, each loop of the film wound on each series of rollers tends to equalize in tension, but this is possible only through a slippage of the film on the rollers. By providing these rolle'rswith individual spools it is pos sible for the tension of the film to equalize in each loop without any slippage or strain whatsoever. Y

My co-pending application upon an automatic film tensioning mechanism, Serial No. 91,697, filed March 2nd, 1926, discloses'an apparatus having the same general purpose as the apparatus of this invention.

Other objects and the especial advantages of m invention will appear in the following escription. Y

Referrin to the four sheets of drawings in which li illustrate a preferredform of my invention,

Fig. 1 is an extremely diagrammatic view illustrating the utility of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing a ty ical construction of my invention.

ig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by the arrow 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Figs. 2 and 3.

' Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken through an upper roller of an apparatus having the features of-my invention.

Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned view taken through a-lower roller of an apparatus havin the features of my invention.

ig. 7 is a sectional View taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

The film is Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section taken as indicated by the line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail section taken substantially as indicated by the line 9-9 of Fig, 2. Y

Fig. 10 is a detail section taken as indicated by' the line 101O of Fig. 5.

\Vith particular reference to Fig. 1, a film developing machine in which my invention ma be utilized comprises solution tanks 20 which contain the customary developing, fixative, washing, dyeing and toning solutions. The tanks 20 may be supported from the fiooron suitable blocks 21. Adjacent to the tanks 20 is a dryer 22 into which the film is extended for drying. Columns 23 extend upwardly on each side of the solution tanks 20 and slides 24 of frames 25 are slid thereupon. These frames 25 carry a multiplicity of series of rollers 26, on which film tensioning mechanism 27 having the feaframes 25 of the tanks 20 at 32. The jacks 30 are operable in such a manner as toelevate the frames 25 to permit a convenient threading of a film around the series of rollers 26.- The series of rollers 26 in the dryer 22 areaccessible through doors 34.

Thepos itive orthe negative film after it has been exposed is placed on a reel 35 which is supported by a bracket 36. The film, as indicated at 37, extends around rollers 38 whichare supported on the right hand column 23 of the right hand solution tank 20. After passing around these rollers 38 the film is extended to and consecutively wound around the series of rollers 26 of the right hand solution tank 20. The film 37 is then carried, as'shown', over rollers 39 which: are supported by the right hand column 23 of the left hand tank 20. From these rollers 39 the film iswound around the series of rollers 26 in the left hand tank 20. From the series of rollers in the left hand tank 20 the film 37 passes over a roller 41 and is then wound on the series of rollers 26 in thedryer 22. The film passes from the dryer 22 over a roller 42, and is then wound on a reel 43, being at this time ready for the cutting room. The various series of rollers in the tanks 20 and thedryer 22 are driven by a motor 44. The motor 44 drives a shaft 46. This shaft 46 is associated with a ear box 48 which drives a; drive shaft, not s own, of the frame a coupling 52. The drive shaft 54 of the frame of .the right hand tank 20 is driven from the shaft 51 by a coupling 56. When either of the frames 25 in the tanks 20 is elevated, it is necesasry to detach either the cou ling 52 or the coupling 56 or both.

he detailed construction of my invention is very clearly shown in' Figs. 2 to 10 inclusive. With reference particularly to these figures,'the frames 25 are provided in the form of a plurality of individual housings 60 which are supported adjacent to each other by bars 61 and 62 which extend through circular formations 63 thereof.

The drive shaft for the frames 25 is typically represented by a'drive'shaft 65 1n Figs. 2 to 10 of the drawings. The drive shaft 65 extends through each of the hous-- pivoted at 78 to each of the members 69.

Each pawl 77 is arranged to be retained in en agement with one of the teeth 80 of an adjacent ratchet wheel 75 by a spring,82.' When the shaft is'rotated. each of the gears 66 drives a gear 68. The gears68 each drives a member 69 which by reason of an engagement between a pawl 77 and the teeth 80 drive an adjacent ratchet wheel 75,

thus rotating each of the shafts in a counter-clockwise direction. By providing each of the shafts 70 with a ratchet arranged as shown, they maybe separately ad usted during the threading of a film on the apgeafratus. This, however, will be descri (1 later.

'As shown in Fig. 5 anup er roller 84 is carried upon each of the sha ts 70. Each of the upper rollers 84 is provided in the form of asleeve 85 having a central opening 86 through which an upper shaft 70 extends. A brake drum 87 1s formed at the extreme inner or leftwardend of each of the sleeves. 85 and adjacent to the brake drum 87 of each of the sleeves 85 is a drive spool 89 which is defined by radial annular walls 90. On the tubular portion 92 of each of the sleeves 85, a lplurality of upperspool's 93 is arranged. T ese upper spools 93 are individually rotatable with respect to each other and with respect to each of the sleeves 85. An inner friction 'late 94 is rigidly secured to each of the s afts 70 adjacent to the inner ends of each of the sleeves 85. Between each of' the inner friction'pla'tes 94 and the inner ends of each of the sleeves 85 is a friction disc 95. Engaging with the outer end of each ofthe sleeves 85 is a friction disc 96 which is forced into engagement therewith by an outer friction plate 97. Each of the outer friction plates 97 is disposed on a squared portion 99 provided near the outer-ends of each of the shafts 70. A threaded portion 100 is provided at the outer end of'each of the shafts 70 on which a wheel 101 is threadedly attached. Each wheel 101 is adapted .to compress a spring 103 against an adjacent outer fric tion plate 97. This serves to force the outer disc 96 pressurably into engagement with the outer end of a sleeve 85 and to force a sleeve 85 pressurably into engagement with a disc 95. This arrangement frictionally rotates each'of the sleeves 85 with an upper shaft 70 by which it is carried. The pronouncedvalue ofthis arrangement .and the value of the individual spool arrangement will be described later. 1

A. support shaft 105 extends outwardly from each of the housings 60 directly below each of the shafts'70. A brake actuator 107 is carried by each of the support shafts 105.

The. brake actuators 107 each comprises brake levers 108 having hubs 109 which surround a shaft 105. Atube 111 extends between the levers 108 of each of the actuators 107, each of the tubes 111 being ex tended on hub projections 112 of the air of levers 108 of each of the actuators 10 On a hub projection 114 of each of the inner levers 108, a hub 115 of a brake shoe 116 is carried. A shoe portion 119 of each of the brake'shoes 116 extends, as shown in Fig. 2, into such a position as to be capable of engagement with a brake drum 87 of a sleeve 85 situated directly above the rod on which it is su ported. As shown in Figs. 2 and 9, on each of the inner levers 108 of the brake actuators 107 a lug 121 is formed through which an enan ear 127 by means of a pin 129. Pivoted I to each of the inner levers 108 by means of in 122 is adjustahly threaded,

a pin 130 is 5 rod 131. The extending end 133 of each of therods 131 is threaded and is extended into an opening-134 of an adjacent block 128, A nut 136 is threaded onto each of the threaded ends 133 of-each of the rods 131.

lVhen a brake actuator is moveddownwardly, that is, when the levers 108 are swung downwardly, the engagement pin 122 thereof moves into engagement with the dog' 125 of the upper brake shoe 116, that is, with the brake shoe operating thereabove in such a manner as to cause the upper brake shoe 116 to engage the brake drum 87 of the upper sleeve 85. When an actuator is moved upwardly, that is, when the levers 108 are swung upwardly, the nut 136 of the rod 131 pivoted thereto engages with a lower face 138 of a block 128 of a following brake shoe 116, that is, a brake shoe 116 which operates on a sleeve 85 to the left of the sleeve under which the actuator is pivoted. This applies the following brake shoe 116 to the brake drum 87 of the following sleeve 85.

By the terms upper roller or upper brake shoe is meant a roller or brake shoe which is situated above the pivot of an actuator 107 which is being discussed, and by the terms following roller or following brake shoe is meant a roller or brake shoe to the left of the point atwhich the actuator 107 being discussed is pivoted As is-evident from Fig. 2 of the drawings,

the levers 108 of each of the actuators 107 extend laterally and have a connector 140 pivoted thereto at 141. Each of the levers 108 terminates below a following roller 85. A rod 142 extends downwardly from each of the connectors 140 and has a block 144 secured at the lower end thereof. A pair of blocks supported from inner and outer levers 108 of an actuator 107 cooperate to support a. lower shaft 146. On each of the lower shafts 146 is carried a lower roller 147, each of these lower rollers 147 being comprised of individual lower spools 148. Each of the spools 148 is separately rotatable with respect to each other andwith respect to the shaft 146 by which these spools are carried. Each of the shafts 146 is carried by an actuator 107 of a precedin upper roller 84. Each of the upper rol ers'84 combines with a lower roller 147 to rovide a series of rollers.

11 Fig. 2 I illustrate series of rollers 150, 151, 152, 153 and 154, each series being comprised of an upper roller 84 and a lower roller 147. The lower rollers 147 are entirely supported by one of the actuators 107 and a movement in a lower roller 147 serves to move an actuator 107 by which it is supported. The film 37 is wound successively over each of the spools of the upper roller 84 and over each of the spools of the lower rollers 147 as indicated by the dotted lines 156 of Fig; 3. The film passes from each of the series of rollers as indicated by the dotted lines 157 of Fig. 2 and travels in a direction indicated by arrows 158 of Fig. 2.

\Vhen the apparatus as shown in Fig. l is put into operation the frames of the tanks 20 are raised so that a leader may be threaded over the series of rollers 26 thereof, it being necessary to detach the couplings 52 and 56 as previously described. The leader after being threaded over the frames of these tanks 20 extends into the dryer 22, and is wound on the series of rollers 26 therein. these rollers in the dryer 22 being accessible by opening the doors 34. The upper rollers being separately rotatable due to the provision of the ratchet wheel and pawl arrangements 77 and permit the adjusting of this leader to a substantially normal tension at all points. After the leader has been completel threaded on the series of rollers 26 and ad usted thereon, the frames 25 of the tanks are lowered and the motor 44 is set into motion, thus rotating the upper shaft 70 and rotating the upper spools 84.

When the film isat normal tension the lower rollers 147 of each of the seriesof rollers are retained in such a position that none of the brake shoes 116 engage with the brake drums 87 of the sleeves 85.

With particular reference to Fig. 2, when the tension in one of the series of rollers 20 reduces below normal, the loops of film 160 of this series of rollers will lengthen and allow a lower roller of this particular series to drop below normal position. In Fig. 2 the lower roller of the series of rollers 153 is shown in a position below a normal osition due to the reduction of tension 0 the loops 160 of film at, this place. A dropping of this lower roller 147 moves the actuator 107 of the preceding series of rollers 154 in such a manner that the engagement pin 122 thereof engages the lug 125 of the brake shoe 116 of this series 154. This brings the brake shoe 116 into engagement with the brake drum 87 of the sleeve 85 of this series, thus retarding the rotation of speed of this upper roller 84 with respect to the rotation of speed of the shaft 70, and with respect to the rotation of speed of the other series of rollers. This results in a retarding of the exhausting of film from this series 154 which retards the feeding of the film 37 to the series 153. This causes a. shortening of each of the loops 160 of this series of rollers 153 which increases the tension thereof and moves the lower roller 147 back to a normal position. When thisroller 147 returns to normal position the brake actuator will return to a normal position, and the brake 116 of the series 154 is allowed to disengage the sleeve 85. The upper roller 84 at this time will again rotate at a normal speed.

The. reduction in tension in any of the series of rollers 26 has an effect on all of the preceding series of rollers. \Vhen the brake 116 of the series of rollers 154 is applied, the exhausting of the film from this series is decreased: however, the film is fed therethrough at the same rate of speed. This lengthens the loops 160 of this series 154 which allows the lower roller 147 thereof to drop and to apply the brake of a preceding series of rollers substantially in the same manner as the lowering of the rollers.

' paratus is compensated for by a readjustment of series of rollers preceding.

When the tension in the film increases above normal, the loops 160 of a series of rollers in which the increase in tension is present shorten and consequently raise the lower roller 147 of this series above normal position. In Fig. 2 the loops 160 of the series of film 150 are shortened due to an increase in tension at this point. The lower roller 147 of the series of rollers 150 is elevated and a preceding actuator 107 is actuated thereby-as shown. Elevation or raising of this actuator 107 causes the nut 136 thereof to engage the face 138 'of the block 128 associated with the brake shoe 116 of the upper roller 84- of this series 150. .This causes the brake shoe 116 to engage the upper roller of-theseries" of rollers 150, thereby retarding the rotation of speed thereof. By retarding the rotation of speed of this upper roller, the speed at which the film exhausts therefrom is retarded; however, the speed at which the film is fed thereto remains the same. This feeds the film to the series of rollers 150 at a'greater rate of speed than it is exhausted therefrom. Qonsequently, theloops 160 thereof are lengthened and the tension at this point is reduced. When'the lower roller 147 of this series of rollers 150'returns" to normal position the brake shoe 116 thereof is removed from engagement with the upper roller 84, and the upperroller 84 will again rotate at a normal speed. I I 7 An increase of tension ofthe film 37 at a series of rollers 26 affects the conditionof a series of rollers following it. For example,-

reducing the feeding of film to this following series of rollers thetension thereof increases and consequent] the loops of film 160 thereof shorten. T is-causes the lower roller of this series to raise and to apply the brake of this series in the same manner as .the brake 116 of the series 150 is applied.' This following series of rollers will have the same efiect upon a series of rollers following it, practically the same as the e'fie'ct'pro- 5 dueed on it' by the series of rollers 150. when my invention is incorporated duction of tension at any place in the ap-.

carry an excessive welght for a However, the effect on each ofthe successive following series of rollers diminishes and reduces to nothing. In this manner the increase in tension in the series of rollers is compensated for, and the film will be returned to substantially a normal tension.

In actual" practice it is found that the lower rollers 147 are very seldom in normal position but are operating slightly to either side thereof; however, the tension in the film is substantially at a normal tension.

The feature of providing the upper and lower rollers 84 and 147 in the form of-individual spools is a very important consideration of my invention. By this provision, it is possible for each of the loops of film 160 of each of the series of spools 26 to adjust themselves to an equal tension. For example, when the feeding of film to a series of rollers is increased, the tension bf the first loop 160 is immediately reduced, and the length of this first loop is increased. This immediately places more'tension in the remaining loops 160 due to the fact that the entire weight of the lower roller 147 is carried by a less number of loops 160. The spools of these loops 160 which are supportmg all of the weight tend to immediately rotate faster in such a manner as to distribute the weight of the lower roller 147 over 'all of the loops 160 and thus equalize the 93 and the tubular portion 92, this friction being suflicient for these spools to'be driven by the tubular portion 92; however, it does not preventa re ative movement between the tubular portion 92 and the individual spools 93. Were the rollers 84 or 147 not provided with individual spools, the tension in the loops 160 would equalize after a time due to slippage of the film on the rollers; however, one or two of the loops would be made to riodof too time which would place considera le strain on the film. q

When the feeding of the film into a series of rollers is retarded, the individual sgools ust thereof vary in rotation of speed and a themselves so that all of the loops. 160' will support the same load and the tension will be the same. When the film retards, the first loop 160 of a series is shortened, and the tendency is for it to carry most of the weight and for the tension therein to increase; however, the individual roller of this loop will rotate slower and feed therefrom at a much slower rate than the film is fed thereinte.

Likewise, the next series of rollers will rotate slower and so on until the weight is supplorted by, all of the loops of this series of re p and the tension in all of them loops is the same This readjustment acts veryquiekly. m a

film developing. machine of this character, the shrink and stretch of the film will have no detrimental effect on the film or u on the operation of the machine. When t e film stretches at any lace it is quickly compensated for and t ere will be no danger of the film running oflthe spools. When the film shrinks at any. place, the increase in tension is uicklv compensatedvtor and the strain on t e i and a danger of shrinkage thereof is eliminated. The feature of separate spools is important as it serves to distribute the weight equally to all the loops of a series of rollers, thus equalizing the tension of each loop;

therefore, the film in each series of rollers arranged toengage said drive roller; and amember energized by movement of said floating roller relative to said drive roller to actuate said control means, thus operating said brake.

2. In a film developing apparatus, the

combination of a drive roller; means for rotating said drive roller; .a driven tloating.

roller arranged below said drive roller, there being a film wound around said drive and driven rollers; means for controlling the rate of rotation of said drive roller; and a member energized by movement of said floating roller relative to said drive roller to actuate.

said control means so that the rate of rotation of said drive roller is reduced when saifil floating roller moves toward said drive ro er.

3 In a film apparatus of the class. described: a series .of drive rollers; means for rotating said drive rollers; driven rollers,

' rollers afiectin one ofwhich is disposed beneath each drive roller to form therewith a pair of rollers, said driven rollers being movable vertically;

. a film passedconsecutively about said pairs of rollers so that a variation in the length or the portion of said film-passed about a given pair of rollers will cause a vertiqil movementof the driven roller of said pair;

and means susce tible to the vertical movement of said driven rollers to control the speeds of rotation transmitted by said ro-.

tating means tosaid drive rollers-the rising of a driven roller of one of said pairs of said control means to decrease, the sp] of the drive roller of that pair, while a lowering ofsaid driven roller afiects said control means to decrease the is immediately reducedspeed of the drive roller of'a preceding pair of rollers.

4. A combination as in claim 3, in which said control means has lost motion giving freedom to said driven rollers for a limited distance of vertical movement within which said control means is inoperative to afiect the speed of rotation transmitted to said drive rollers.

5. In" a film' apparatus, of the class described, the combination of: a plurality of upper roller shafts; means for rotating said upper roller shafts; a roller carried and frictional] driven by each of said upper roller sha s; a brake shoe adapted to operate on each of said upper rollers; a lower roller disposed below each of said upper rollers; a brake actuator for supporting each of said lower rollers, each of said brake actu ators being adapted to operate a brake shoe above the lower roller supported thereby and;

the brake shoe ofa preceding brake; and a film extending over said upper and lower rollers, said lower rollers being raised when the tension in said film increases, thus applying1 a brake shoe of an exhausting upper :0 e

r situated thereabove, and said lower roller being lower when the tension of said film decreases, thus applying a brake of'a preceding u per roller. 6, In a apparatus of the class described, the combination of: a plurality of upper roller shafts; means for rotatin said upper roller shafts; a roller carried an frictionally driven by,each of said upper roller shafts; a brake shoe supporting bar disposed. below each of said upper rollers; a brake shoe carried by each of said brake shoe supporting. bars, each of said brake snoes belng adapted to operate on an upper roller; a brake shoe actuator carried by each of said brake shoe supporting rods, each of said brake shoe actuators being connected with the brake shoe located above the brake shoe supporting .rod car ,9; same in such a manner as to a ply sai brake shoe there-- above when sai brake shoe is depressed,

and being connected with the brake slice of a followingupper roller in such amanner as to apply same when said brake 'shoe actuator is elevated, the rotation of said upper rollers being retarded when said brake shoes are applied; a lower roller arranged below each 0 said upperrollers, each of said lower rollers being supported by the brake shoe actuator of a preceding lower roller; and

a film wound on said upper and lower roll .ers, anincrease of tension in said film at any point-raising an'adjacent lower roller, thus applying abrake shoe operating the rroller thereabove so as to retard same an to decrease the travel of said film there"- at, and a decrease in tension lowering said brake shoe actuator. in a. manner to app] a brake shoe of the preceding upperrolliar,

thereby retarding the travel of said film at this point.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 in which each of said actuators is connected to said brake shoe thereabove' by a block attached to said brake shoe and a rod at tached to said brake shoe actuator, saidrod extending into an opening in said block and said rod being arranged to engage said block in a manner toapply said brake shoe to which said block attaches when said brake shoe actuator is elevated; and in which each of said actuators is connected to a preceding brake shoe by an adjustable engager which engages a lug formed on said brake shoe, when said brake shoe actuator is depressed.

8. In a film apparatus of the class described, the combination of: a plurality of upper shafts; means for driving said shafts;

a sleeve carried on'each of said shafts, said sleeves being frictionally driven by said upper shafts; upper spools rotatable on said sleeves; a lower shaft arranged below each of said upper shafts; lower spools rotatable on said lower shafts; a film extending over said upper and lower spools; and means for maintaining the tension of said film at a normal tension.

9. In a film apparatus of the class tieeach of said sleeves, said brakes adapted for actuation in such a manner as to retard the rotation of sleeves; and means for actuating said brakes when the tension of said film becomes abnormal so as to rectify said tension.

10. In a film apparatus of'the class described, the combination of: a plurality of upper shafts; a sleeve carried on each of said shafts, said sleeves being frictionally driven by'said shafts, and each of said sleeves having a brake drum and a drive spool; upper spools rotatably carried by said sleeves; a brake shoe adapted to engage each of said brake drums of saidsleevesso as to retard the rotation thereof relatively to said upper shafts; a brake actuator associated with each of said brake shoes, said brake actuators being adapted to actuate said brake shoes: a lower shaft supported by each of said brake actuators; lower around said drive spools, said upper spools and said lower spools, a variation in tension in said film being effective in moving said lower spools and said lower shafts so as to actuate said brake shoes in sucha manner as to change the rotational speed of said sleeves, thus returning said film tonormal tension.

11. In-a film apparatus of the-class described, the combination of: a pluralit of upper shafts; a sleeve carried on eacli of said shafts, said sleeves being frictionally driven by said shafts, and each of said sleeves having a brake drumwand a drive spool; upper spools rotatably carried by said sleeves; a brake shoe adapted to engage each of said brake drums of said sleeves so as to retard the rotation thereof relatively to said upper shafts; a brake actuator arranged below each of said upper shafts, each of said brake actuators being arranged to actuate a brake shoe thereabove and to actuate a following brake shoe; alower shaft supported by each of said actuators, said lower shafts being movable in such a man ner as to move said brake actuators, thus actuating said brake shoes; lower spools rotatably carried on said lower shafts; and a film wound on said drive spools said upper spools and said lower spools, said lower spools and said lower shafts being raised when the tension in said film increases, thus applying the upper brake shoes, and being lowered when said tension in said film decreases, thus applying the following brake shoes, thereby returning said film to normal tension. 1

12. In a film developin apparatus, the combination of: drive ro lers; means for operating said drive rollers; driven floating rollers, there being a film wound around pairs of drive and driven rollers; means operated by the vertical movement of said driven rollers for reducing the rate of ro-. tation of the drive rollers when the driven roller of the same pair is raised; and means operated by said first named means for permitting a preceding'drive roller to rotate at a greater rate of rotation when a following driven roller is raised.

13. In a film developing apparatus, the combination of: drive rollers; means for operating said drive rollers; driven floating rollers, there being afilm wound around pairs of drive and driven rollers; and means operated by the vertical movement of said driven rollers for increasing the rate of rotation of a preceding drive roller when a following driven roller is raised.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 23rd day of February, 1926.

FRANK E. GARBUTT. 

